Method of and apparatus for treating oil and its constituents



Feb. 12, 1929. 1,701,870

R. CONRADER METHOD OF ANI] APPARATUS FOR TREATING OIL AND ITS CONSTITUENTS Filed Oct. 51, 1921 e Sheets-Sheet 1 fizz/622101;"

Feb. 12, 1929.

R. CONRADER METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING OIL AND ITS CONSTITUENTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 51, 1921 Invarz Z01? Feb. 12, 1929. 1,701,870

- R. CONRADER METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING OIL AND ITS CONSTITUENTS Filed Oct. 31, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 R. CONRADER METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING OIL AND ITS CONSTITUENTS Filed 001;, .31, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invanian Jjiorng.

Feb/12, 1929. 1,701,870

R. CONRADER METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING OIL AND ITS CONSTITUENTS Filed 001;.51, 1921 e Sheets-Sheet 5 my. z

IIUHI Mii? &

fig. 6.

raven/ion Jlilornqg.

Febilz, 1929. v 1,701,870

R. CONRADER METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING OIL AND ITS CONSTITUENTS Filed Oct. 31, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 "w. M m

Q .s m

Q $2 ll nvanlor I i I I v I JZZOI'IZQQQ Patented Feb. 12, 1929.

RUDOLPH. GONRADER, (3F ERIE, EENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING OIL AND ITS CONSTITUENTS.

Application filed October 31, 1921. Serial No. 511,650.

In handling oil and its products, such as gasoline, particularly where large quantities are stored great losses are sustained by reason of the evaporation of the lighter constituents of the oil, or gasoline, due to variations in temperature and pressures. This is obviated inthe present invention to a large extent by maintaining a constant pressure on the oil delivering a sufficient quantity of gas Where there is contraction or" the oil or gas in thetank or some/of the oil of the tank is discharged and drawing off the gas from the tank as it is formed through rising temperatures. These large tanks permit of only slight pressure and consequently as a matter of safety the pressure maintained can be but slight and must be controlled within comparatively narrow limits. it is preferable also to condense the gasoline from the gas especially where gasoline is being stored and to return the liquids so (ondenscd to the main volume of gasoline preferably distributing it so that it may be absorbed in the volume of liquid and thus be retained as a liquid in the gasoline stored.

The apparatus exemplifying the invention and by means of which the method may be Ct rried out is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as iollowst- Fig. 1 shows a view diagrammatically ot' a piping and pump with controlling device for maintaining pressure onthe tank.

Fig. 2 a tank.

Fig. 3 an alternate construction of controlling device.

ig. at a condensing coil for condensing the portion of the gasoline from the gas taken from the tank.

Fig. l a valve designed for use where the gasoline condensed from oil. 1

Fig. 5 an alternative construction of control where gas is supplied below the pressure desired on the tank. i

Fig. 6 is'a valve controlling supply uneer higher pressure than the desired tank pressure.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 sectional views of controlling valves. 7

The ordinary storage tank is shown in Fig. 2, 1 indicating the storage tank, 2 the liquid inlet to the tank, 3 a liquid discharge from toe tank and i a gas connection for controlling the pressure on the tank, the gas connection being preferably arranged through a trap comprising a fitting 5 with I a downwardly extending pipe 6, the pipe 6 projecting into a closed tube 7 having the lateralor radial openings 8 near the top of the tank. By so arranging the gas connection to the tank gas is delivered and taken from the tank without disturbing toany great extent the gas in immediate contact with the liquid, thus reducing the vapors which arise from the liquid. The tank is supplied with a tube 11 for the insertion of the gauge,this tube being closed by a hinged door 12 furnished with a suitable packing tomake a tight joint. An air tube 9 leads to near the bottom of the tank and is supplied with a cutoll valve 10, the purpose of the pipe 9 being to facilitate the discharge of air when the tank is being lilled'with-gas over the liquid. With the controlling device as shown in Fig. 1 gas under pressure above that desired in the tank is supplied through a pipe 13. The delivery of this gas is controlled by a controlling valve lat, this valve being shown in-detailin Fig. 6. It is provided with a body 15 having a 'partiti0n'16 with valve openings and seats therein, a valve 17 operating on these seats, the valve having a stem 18, the stem being secured to a diaphragm 19. Guide wings 20 extend along the stem 18. The diaphragm has a stem 23 extending out of the body and this is loaded with a weight- 24. The inlet is at 21 and the outlet at 22. the outlet pressure it will be observed acting on the diaphragm and closing the valve it rises. With an ordinary tank pressure this will close at a very slight pressure above atmosphere, storage tanks as ordinarily constructed being capable of carrying pressure measured in ounces.

The pipe 18 leads to the pipe 4, the pipe 4; being connected to the tank so that there is delivered to the tank by way of the gas connection sufficient to raise its pressure to the pro-determined pressure controlledby the valve 14;. Through rising temperature added gas is added to the tank, or where the a diaphragm 32. The diaphragm is loaded by a spring 33 which operates against a head 34 which may be ad usted by screw 85 so as to vary the strength of the spring and the pressure at which the-valve will open.

As soon as the valve opens gas under pressure is. delivered past the valve by way of-a pipe 4 to a pump 36. This pump as shown is driven from anelectric motor 37 byimeans of a belt Themotor is. supplied through conductors 39 and 40 and these conductors are controlled by a switch 41.

gas from the tank.

The switch 41 is or: ordinary pressure controlled type flllClilSiCOllHQCtgfl by a pipe 42 'with the pipe 4*. lVith pressure in the pipe 4 the switch 41 is closed and the motor 37 started, thus starting the pump and drawing The pump should be of suflicient capacity to remove any gas that may accumulate through sudden rises. in

temperature. jThis, of course, is not ordi-- narily rapid by reason of the large volume of liquid The pump shouldals'o be of sufiicient' capacity to take care of the gas as it is compressed through the filling of the tank with the liquid. The pump discharges through a pipe 36- back to the gassupply or as maybe desired. It will be noted that the valve25 is spring actuated and con sequently acts gradually, that is to say, if there is sufiicient gas evolved or produced in thetank to maintain the pump in action the valve; will partly open and allow 'a'continued'discharge during the production of the gas, or filling of the'tank. If the pres sure goes up slightly above this the valve draw oh the tank to maintain the pressure.

is opened wider, or if the'pressure drops the valve iscloscd somewhat thus permitting a flow to the pump correspondin to some extentto theamount of gas it is necessary to In the alternative construction shown in Fig. 3' the gas supply is delivered through a pipe 13 and passes through a valve 43 to the pipe 4. The'valve 43 is shown in detail I in Fig. 8. Itcomprises a body 44'with' a diaphragm 45 having valve openings and seats, the valve 46 operating on these seats, the valve stem 47- extending from the valve,

the stem being provided with the guide wings 48 and being controlled by a diaphragm 49. The diaphragm is loaded through a push pin 50 by a weighted lever 51. .The inlet is at 52 and the outlet at 53. It will be noted that the valve 43 is the same in detailas the valve 14 and closes when a pro-determined pressure is delivered to'the tanle The pipe 4 is provided'witha valve 4." so that the connection may be shut off if desired particularly when gauging the tanln .The valve 541s shown in detail in Fig. 9 and is exactly similar to the valve 25 operating in the same manner opening when the pressure in the tank rises above a pre- .same manner. When the valve 54 closesand ;a vacuum is created in the intake the switch is opened shutting down the. electric' motor and-When the pressure 1s delivered to the pipe 55tl1e switch is closed starting the electric motor and the pump.

In the alternative construction shownin F 1g. 5 gas 1.S delivered to the pipe 13 at a pressure below that desired for the tank and the pressure, therefore, is boosted by the pump. The pump 36 is connected by the pipe 36 with the pipe 4, the gas passing through a regulating valve 58 cor spending tothe valve 25 and operating in the same manner. A bypass 59 extends fron the'pipe 36 to the pipe 13 and a'valve con trolled by the pressure in this bypass. T he valve 63 is shown in detail in Fig. 7. The pipe 61'connects with the pipe 59 and connected to the diapln agm chamber 62. A diaphragm 64 is arranged in the chamber and subjected to the pressure from the pump. valve stem 65 extends'from the diaphragm beingguided by the Wings 66 and a valve 67 is attached to the stem and controls the passage throughthe valve 63. A'spring 68 opposes the. pressure of the diaphragm so that the valve 63 is open except when the diaphragm 64 is subjected to'pressure. ,iVhen the valve'63 is open there issuhicient pressure inthe pipe 13 be tween the valve 63 and the pump which coinaction of the pump builds up pressure in the pipe 36 and 59 and this is connnunicatod through the pipe 61 to the diaphragm cutting off the the valve 63, when the continued action of the pump creating a vacuum in the intake'results in the opening of the pressurecontrolled switch '41, thus shutting off the motor and shutting down the pump. Asia safety feature a pressure valve 60 is pro vided which iscontrolled by pressure from the intake. This valve is similar to the valve 25 and opens at a pressure above that of the valve 58. It'returns the surplus to the line. V

A pipe 69 connects the pipe 4 with the This valve is controlled by its intake or itilllk pressure and is similar .in structure to the. valve 25 exceptthat it is loaded to operate at a pressure slightly abovethe pressure at which the valve'58 operates so that after the valve 58 closes it there is a pressure created in the tank it is relieved through the valve 70..

It is preferable to condense the gasoline from the gaswhich is drawn from the tank. Ordinarily such gas would be largely gas that has evaporated from the oil or gasoline in the tank so that it can be readily condensed if there is no air or other ingredient in it to the liquid state. I prefer therefore, to lead the pipe 36 under these conditions to a coil 71 which is cooled from a spray 72. The liquid condensed is carried to a. trap 73 and discharged as the trap fills through a pipe 7 4 which leads into the tank and is provided with a distributing pipe 75, the purpose of distributing the condensate or gasoline being to bring it into more general contact with the heavier constituents of the liquid in the tank so that it may be absorbed thereby and retained. The discharge to the pipe 7 4 is controlled by a. valve76, this valve being arranged in a body 7 7, the valve stem 78 having an opening 79 through it into which an arm 80 of a bell crank lever extends, the other arm of the bell crank lever being provided with a float 81 which rises with the gasoline to open the valve and falls as the gasoline falls to close the valve. A gas pipe 82 leads from the trap and can be carried back to the gas connect-ion or to the air asdesired. A relief valve 44- is mounted on the pipe 82 and opens to the discharge with a pre-determined pressure in the trap. The valve is of the ordinary control type being responsive to pressure in the trap. The valve is shown in Fig. 8 and is providedwith a body i l, a diaphragm 45 having valve passages and seats, valve discs 46, stem 47, guide wings 48 and diaphragm is) connected to the stem push pin 50 operating against the diaphragm and a Weighted lever .51 on the push pin. The gas enters at 52 and is dis charged at .53.

Where a tank is carrying oil and there would be no purpose in returning the gaso line to the tank the gasoline may be delivered to a pipe 7st and controlled by a three way valve 83. The gasoline from the trap under these conditions is carried by a pipe 84 to a gasoline storage Where gasoline is stored so that if it is desired to return it to the tank the valve is turned so as to connect the pipe '74 with a continuation of the pipe 74: leading back to the storage tank.

I prefer to provide the intake 2 with transparent plates 2 furnishing an oppor- .tunity for observing the flow of oil to :the tank without opening the tank.

It will be noted that the air discharge pipe 9 extends through a stuiiing box 9 so that it may be raised and lowered and thus bring the bottom end just above the level oi the oil.

Nith this adjustment as the gas is delivered to the tank the air being --heav1er remains near the Oll and is finally discharged without co-mingling to any in jurious extent with the incoming gas.

It will be noted that the intake discharges the oil near the bottom of the tank and leading from the top of the tank the pipe will be empty as the flow stops so that the sight will indicate the feed. This manner of discharge permits of the oil in the *tank absorbing the lighter constituentsot the oil as they rise in the body of the oil at rest. Quite a large proportion of these lighter constituents are lost where the oil is delivered to the tank from near ,the top in an unconfined state. It will be noted also that the sight opening is larger than the intake pipe so as to give a clearer indication of the ingoing oil.

What I claim as new is v l. The method of treating oil and its constituents which consists in holding the same in a closed receptacle delivering and drawing oil gas from the receptacle to maintain the oil under pressure of gas above atmosphere, condensing the liquid from the. gas removed, and returning the liquid to the re ceptacle.

2. The method of treating oil and its constituents which consists in holding the same in a closed receptacle, delivering and drawing oil gas from the gasoline to maintain the oil under pressure of gas above atmos phere, condensing the liquid from the gas removed and returning the liquid to the receptacle, and distributing thesame through the liquid in the receptacle.

8. In an apparatus for treating oil and its constituents the combination of a tank; a gas supply connected with the tank; a pump connected with the tank; and controlling devices actingon the supply connection and pump to deliver and draw oil gas from the tank 'to maintain a constant pressure on the tank above atmosphere. y

e. In an apparatus for treating oil and its constituents the combination of a tank; a gas supply connected with the tank; a pump connected with the tank; controlling devices acting on the supply connection and pump to deliver and draw off gas from the tank to maintain a constant pressure on the tank; and means for condensing a liquid from the gas drawn oil and for returning the same to the tank.

5. In an apparatus for treating oil and its constituents the combination of a tank; a connection leading a gas supply to the pressure of the said fluid above atmosphere. ceptacle a hydrocarbon gas similar to the 20. The method of holding, storing, treatgas evolved by the 011 stored to maintain the 111;; and moving oil and its constituents, 011 under pressure of the gas above atmos- 10 which consists in holding a large Volume of phere.

oil in a closed receptacle, delivering and In testimony whereof I have hereunto set withdrawing the oil from the receptacle, my hand.

and delivering and drawing oil from the re- 7 RUDOLPH CONRADER. 

